Reflections on Skillnet MMC Accelerate: What are the Aims for 2026?
Skillnet MMC Accelerate has successfully established itself as the authoritative national voice for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in Ireland. The Initiative has delivered exceptional results across all programme objectives, significantly exceeding initial targets. And 2026 promises even more ambitious successes.
Dr Alan Hore, Programme Lead for Skillnet MMC Accelerate, reflects on the objectives of Skillnet MMC Accelerate for 2026.
Skillnet MMC Accelerate has been a massive success in 2025, carrying on from the foundations built in 2024. Across the year, the Initiative has achieved remarkable milestones in building a robust skills ecosystem that signposts to MMC courses nationwide, connecting building professionals, education providers, and industry stakeholders to accelerate MMC adoption across Irish construction.
While the appetite for MMC has been present for several years, there has been a discernible increase in 2024 and 2025. ‘Tier one’ contractors have been experimenting with digital construction technologies and offsite manufacturing for a while, but now we have seen SMEs adopt these MMC principles too. Indeed, many companies are using MMC without realising it falls under that term!
In terms of sector improvements, digital prefabrication, a standardised ‘kit of parts’ for key segments, robotics and automation in offsite manufacturing, MMC project management across developments, and the introduction of digital information standards (beyond the BIM Mandate) will drive productivity and innovation.
A major change that could increase the uptake in courses is companies giving key staff members day release or regular training hours during the working day. This, of course, would need to be matched by education providers developing bite-sized courses that contain a component which has project work relevant to an individual's day-to-day role baked into the curriculum.
People value skills that are directly relevant, impactful, and transferable in their career. By my estimate, 10 hours of upskilling in key construction principles could be equal to 100 hours of re-working saved, depending on the project.
All of these points tie back into the Skillnet MMC Accelerate Initiative. From the capital to the Midlands to the Ring of Kerry, Skillnet MMC Accelerate has reached far and wide in the Irish construction sector. But beyond the programme, it’s been a landmark time for the national adoption of MMC.
(L-R) Paul Tierny, CEO, MMC Ireland; Denise Tuffy, Director of Specialist Contracting, CIF SosA; Jamie Goggins, Director, Construct Innovate; Yvonne Foy, Contract Training Officer, Laois & Offaly ETB; Alan Hore, Programme Lead, Skillnet MMC Accelerate
We've seen industry stakeholders and professional bodies — including our Initiative partners CIF Smart Off-Site Association (SOSA), MMC Ireland, and Construct Innovate — empowering the development of construction businesses. Key training providers have revised construction curriculums to better teach Lean, Green, Digital, and Advanced Offsite Manufacturing skills, and we’ve seen the ongoing development of the National Construction Training Centre by Initiative partners Laois & Offaly ETB.
The Irish Government has led high-profile strategies to increase the adoption of MMC. This includes the MMC Action Plan, incorporating 58 actions for named stakeholders, and the Delivering Homes, Building Communities Report – the first time MMC has been embedded structurally into a housing action plan. We’ve also seen leading MMC companies across the country buy into the upskilling opportunities available to innovate new products and processes, and increase the knowledge of their workforce.
Skillnet MMC Accelerate is central to this shift, working with all these parties to showcase MMC and encourage the development of the Irish education ecosystem. We contacted our programme partners to get their thoughts on the last year in MMC and their forecasts for how the construction industry will continue to advance into 2026:
Paul Tierney, CEO of MMC Ireland
What technology innovations (such as digital design tools, robotics, or AI) do you believe will have the biggest impact on construction efficiency?
AI is having a massive impact on digital design and combining AI with standardisation and a digital kit of parts approach opens the possibility for exponential savings in time and cost when designing MMC schemes.
CEO of MMC Ireland
Do you see a shift in the types of MMC systems or materials—such as timber frame, LGS, modular steel—preferred for developments?
Closed panel timber frame is the most popular system delivering homes right now. But ICF, precast, LGS and 3D concrete are all growing systems within the residential sector too. Healthcare and residential is dominated by 3D volumetric and LGS and I don't see that changing in the short- to medium-term.
CEO of MMC Ireland
How can MMC help meet Ireland's housing supply goals in coming years?
MMC is already helping Ireland meet its housing supply goals with more than 70% of schemes delivered using some form of MMC. With the majority of factories in the country operating at just over 50% capacity there is massive scope to ramp up delivery once the key issues are resolved. Planning, procurement and pipeline are three of the most important issues and until we resolve these, we will be forever stuck in a system of under supply.
CEO of MMC Ireland
Padraig Boland, FET Manager at LOETB
How are skills and training evolving to support the growth of MMC in Ireland’s construction workforce?
While some training is shifting from site-based trades to manufacturing roles, including BIM Technicians, Offsite Assembly Operatives, and MMC Project Managers, the LOETB is integrating immersive learning and virtual reality into the construction curriculum at Mount Lucas. The ‘Digital Construction’ modules are specifically designed to help traditional Site Managers and tradespeople transition to the ‘factory-to-foundation' mindset required for MMC. These courses emphasise moving toward integrated, real-time digital environments.
FET Manager at LOETB
What role do you see for collaboration between MMC businesses, education providers, and government / private stakeholders in driving innovation?
Innovation is being driven by ‘tripartite’ partnerships where the state provides the pipeline, businesses provide the technology, and education providers provide a certified workforce. This ecosystem ensures the private sector has the confidence to invest in factories because the government is investing in long-term demand for MMC.
FET Manager at LOETB
Denise Tuffy, Director of Specialist Contracting at CIF SosA
What major trends do you predict will shape Modern Methods of Construction (and the wider Irish construction sector) in 2026?
SosA has built momentum during 2025 which it will develop in 2026 under the excellent stewardship of its President, Brian Kennedy from Vision Built. The Association is working hard, through its members, to develop services that will help the construction industry grow, which will in turn increase productivity. SosA is above all focused on quality and stresses the importance of gaining Agrément certification, something all its members are striving to obtain. A significant number of 3D volumetric suppliers will have achieved Agrément certification in 2025, demonstrating the growing sophistication of the Irish market that they carry such a high level of competence.
Director of Specialist Contracting at CIF SosA
How will the Skillnet MMC Accelerate initiative—whether the platform or the business support events—continue to accelerate the adoption of MMC?
"Events are increasing the knowledge of MMC and bringing it to life. These events have been tremendously successful. As well as providing a central database to those who are seeking to reskill, upskill and develop their MMC career, it highlights success stories and research in relation to MMC which cannot be found on any other since resource."
Director of Specialist Contracting at CIF SosA
Additionally, Construct Innovate is firming up its plans for 2026 with the launch of its free webinar series on the topic of Modern Methods of Construction. Taking place each Tuesday from 12-1pm for eight weeks, the first webinar commences on 13 January. This series explores methods and approaches to MMC and its sector adoption, covering key design considerations, areas of standardisation and routes to certification, next-generation, rapid-build systems, and automation in construction.
Skillnet MMC Accelerate is delighted to have received expanded funded for 2026-2028, so the team can continue to build on the progress made in the previous 18 months. There is a definitive feeling that all industry stakeholders, professional bodies, education providers, MMC companies, and Government are closely aligned on a coherent plan for using MMC to address climate and housing supply targets. We are thrilled to be part of that plan for bringing Irish construction into the future – with MMC.
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